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Ethan cast a pointed look at Ruisin.‘You’re very naked, you know.’

‘Would you prefer me to shift back?’

‘There’s two fae legions milling around who don’t know whose orders they’re supposed to be following anymore,’ I said.‘It would be helpful if you shifted.Keep them afraid until this is all untangled.Where’s Sylara?’

‘I haven’t seen her surface,’ Ethan said, his voice a little more strained.‘I think there are a lot still underground.’

Gathering Imogen up in my arms, I lifted her from the mud.She muttered unintelligibly before settling against me, and the relief of that small sign of life filled my throat.‘Let’s go and find them.’

‘What about her?’Ethan nodded in the direction of Moriana, still lying slumped on the ground.

‘Can you watch her?’I asked Ruisin.

Scales were already rippling down his arms, over his chest, hiding the white scar Moriana had put there.‘With pleasure.’His prowl away from us was accompanied by a fresh scattering of soldiers, a few more screams as he shifted forms, his footsteps shaking the earth, neck snaking through the air as he surveyed the remains of the battlefield.

‘So… want to tell me how the fuck he’s tied up in all this?’Ethan asked as we began to walk.We needed to find a way back underground.I had no idea how much of it had collapsed.

‘He was Moriana’s mate.’

‘Come again?’

‘She cut out his heart to break the bond, so he’s got a score to settle.’

‘Right.’He said nothing else for a moment.‘Okay, I need you to tell me that again.But with more context.And, like, slowly.’

Chapter 35

Tarian

Ijoltedawake,myneck stiff from where I’d slumped awkwardly in the chair.For a moment, I was disoriented, the details of where I was and why running through my mind like sand through my hands.But the light touch of fingers against my cheek quickly brought it all back.I lifted my head, blinking against the gritty sting of my eyes, tentative with my hope, half-expecting to see Imogen’s eyes still closed as she slumped against a pillow.But they were open, fixed on me with more clarity than I would have expected after a few days spent unconscious.

‘Hey,’ she said, voice croaky.

‘How do you feel?’I asked, clasping her hand.

She stretched her neck.‘Like I’ve been hit by a truck.’

‘Sounds painful.’

‘It’s not great.’She cleared her throat, looked around.‘We’re at Dreadhold?’

‘I had to take you somewhere safe.’

She raised her brows.‘And Dreadhold is safe?’

I didn’t answer straight away.I knew what she was thinking.‘Moriana is no longer queen.’

‘Right.’She put a hand to her head, massaged her brow.‘I’ve missed a few things.’

‘You don’t need to think about that now.’

She squinted at me, fingers moving to her temple.‘How long have I been out?’

‘A few days.’

‘Because of the magic, right?’Understanding crossed her face.‘I challenged Solas.I think… did I kill him?’

‘That’s one of those things you don’t need to think about right now.’